The newest commerce buzz surrounding the New York Knicks entails a present Charlotte Hornet.
In response to Evan Sidery of Forbes, the Knicks are one in every of a number of groups “expressing curiosity” in a commerce for Nick Richards, who is anticipated to be one of the vital beneficial inside prospects on the commerce deadline. The Knicks aren’t alone, as Sidery lists Denver, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Sacramento and the Los Angeles Lakers as potential suitors as nicely.
Richards, 27, is in his fifth season in Charlotte and is tied for the crew lead in rebounds with 7.7 per recreation. He is needed to play a much bigger position on the inside for the Hornets with Mark Williams out this 12 months as a consequence of damage. He additionally scored 9.2 factors and a career-high 1.3 blocks this 12 months.
Initially from Jamaica and having attended highschool within the tri-state space (St. Mary’s (NY) in Manhasset and The Patrick College (NJ) in Hillside), Richards broke out to the tune of 9.7 factors and eight .0 rebounds final season whereas capturing over 69 p.c from the sphere.
“I am extraordinarily happy with Nick,” Charlotte’s then-teammate PJ Washington stated of Richards’ work in March 2023, by Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer. “I’ve recognized Nick since my freshman 12 months of highschool. So to see his development to this point is simply unbelievable. I’m happy with him for being right here and enjoying exhausting each evening.
The Knicks (25-14) have acquired a horrible wake-up name about their depth in current performances and the purpose was hardly delicate when Isaiah Hartenstein came over Friday evening.
Now representing the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Hartenstein rose to the event final 12 months when beginning heart Mitchell Robinson suffered ankle issues. That landed him an $87 million contract with the West-leading Thunder, and the Knicks, regardless of the addition of Karl-Anthony Cities, struggled to fill out these remaining stretches with Robinson nonetheless sick. New York’s reserves have been outscored 23-15 by Oklahoma Metropolis, who earned a 126-101 victory, the Knicks’ fourth loss within the final 5 video games.
That makes Richards a strong match for New York, however the depleted inventory might have the rebuilding Hornets wanting elsewhere: The Knicks, after all, gutted their scouting cupboard to land each Cities and Mikal Bridges, however they’re holding out all the time their very own first spherical. choose in 2026. A push by the Detroit Pistons also needs to put one other ace within the Knicks’ pocket, as New York owns the Motor Metropolis first-round choose in 2025 offered he lands outdoors the highest 13.
The Knicks will look to get again on observe subsequent Sunday after they tackle the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Sq. Backyard (3 p.m. ET, MSG).
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